2010 Southwest Cluster AmeriCorps Conference

CNCS Opening Plenary Presentation
In this uncommon opening plenary session, a brief welcome and orientation about the conference will lead to a facilitated reflective, informative and interactive activity with conference participants and Corporation for National and Community Service staff.   The CNCS staff will address essential issues in a presentation such as the implications of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and other future plans for national service.  In "affinity groups," participants will dialogue about the information, reflecting on how the "bigger picture" affects their programs, states, and the network in the SW Cluster and nationally.  Questions generated will be reviewed by CNCS staff to address during the closing plenary session on March 4.
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National Stakeholders Panel
Lunch will be served in the plenary room.  After taking a break to eat, participants will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of national partners (Points of Light Foundation, AmeriCorps Alums, ETR, and National Service Inclusion Project) that support and serve the national service field.  The audience will hear a little about who each organization is, what they do, how they can help programs and how programs can help or get involved with them.  After lunch, the panelists will be part of the Round Robin Session block where participants can learn more about them in 45-min. table discussions.
Points of Light Institute, Ellen Ferber
AmeriCorps Alums, Whitney Soenksen

Member Management Café
In the spirit of a "World Cafe Technology" we will conduct this "innovative yet simple methodology for hosting conversations about questions that matter. These conversations link and build on each other as people move between groups, cross-pollinate ideas, and discover new insights into the questions or issues that are most important in their life, work, or community."  The focus of this conversation will be around issues of member management and will capitalize on the range of experiences, needs, and ideas of all of the conference participants.  The crux of the conversation: how ALL of our programs can best guide and support the diversity of future AmeriCorps members entering into service this next decade.
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Understanding OIG Audits and Preventing Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
Stuart Axenfeld and Jeff Morales
The Office of Inspector General provides agency oversight to ensure adequate organizational internal controls are in place to safeguard program and taxpayer dollars.  This session will cover an overview of the OIG’s mission; identify indicators of fraud; identify current audit findings; preparation for an audit, safeguarding and accountability of Recovery Act funds, and how to report fraud, waste, or abuse.
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Building a Program that Build Members
Denise Calhoun and Alicia Stewart
This session will provide participants with effective practices in member management.  Participants will engage in group discussion about effective recruiting techniques, orientation, as well as appropriate expectations and support of members.  Discussion will be reinforced through hands on activities and reflection techniques which have been proven successful with the S.E.E. West Monroe AmeriCorps members.
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Developing and Managing Your AmeriCorps Budget
Doug Godesky
A well developed program budget will provide the road-map and resources that a program needs to achieve its programmatic and financial objectives.  This session will provide participants with the techniques, tools and tips that will assist them in developing a good program budget.  The session will include: a) things to consider during the planning stages for your grant e.g., ensuring you budget includes only allowable costs, maximizing your administrative cost recovery etc; and b) strategies for reviewing and managing your budget during the program year.
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AmeriCorps Preparation and Response to Natural Disasters: Lessons Learned at Greensburg
Trent McCowan
This session details the supplies, equipment, materials, information and contact numbers teams need to prepare to respond to natural or man-made disasters. The session will further elaborate on what to do (and what not to do) in the immediate and long-term aftermath of a disaster.
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Building Partnerships to Strengthen and Enhance AmeriCorps Programs
Sarah Fischer and Elizabeth Irvine
Co-Presenters will share with participants the process of creating a city (or region) wide coalition of national service programs with the goal of trading training resources, sharing member support services, and creating a series of social networking tools to bring programs and members together for service, training, and fun. We will also discuss ways that national service programs can partner with local colleges and universities to fulfill program needs without contracting for expensive services.
Handout: Types of Partnerships

Strategies for Reaching Qualified Individuals with Disabilities
Jason Wheeler
We can no longer rely solely on traditional outreach and recruitment practices to engage service members and volunteers.  Reaching people with all abilities requires us to think creatively and develop outreach plans that include strategic partnerships, dynamic online tools and the use of social media. We will examine and create many successful and inclusive outreach and recruitment practices and strategies.
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It’s A Gamble
OneStar Foundation
All participants will be engaged in an interactive activity to explore, discuss, and diagnose real-life program and fiscal scenarios developed through common audit findings.
Dealer Instructions
Materials for Scenario 1
Materials for Scenario 2
Materials for Scenario 3
Materials for Scenario 4
Materials for Scenario 5   Materials for Scenario 5

Building a Strong Life After AmeriCorps Program
Angela Pinckard and Stacey Sharer
Life After AmeriCorps is a broad (and for many programs coordinators and directors, daunting) subject essential to a member’s development into an engaged and successful citizen after their term of service. This session addresses the importance of preparing AmeriCorps members to be successful after completing their term of service and creating opportunities that allow them to get a better idea of what path they want to pursue. Providing these opportunities, along with appropriate training and support, will further develop members’ skills while serving, and it will help to ensure that their AmeriCorps service leads to better career options in the future. In addition, the session will address what topics should be considered, how to use your members to identify the areas of greatest interest/need, and how to create a successful curriculum. The planning model for the Greater New Orleans AmeriCorps Group’s upcoming Life After AmeriCorps Conference, different tools used in the organization of the conference, other member development activities, and how City Year traditionally provides opportunities for AmeriCorps members to develop career and college plans during their term of service through the Life After City Year (LACY) Program will be discussed.
Handout 1: LACY Timeline
Handout 2: LACY Timeline Example
Handout 3: LACY Personal Audit

Criminal History Checks
Doug Godesky
Under the Serve America Act, programs must complete criminal history checks on all AmeriCorps members and most staff   This session will address the regulations, requirements and alternatives available to grantees to meet the new requirements. Participants will learn to whom these requirements apply and under what circumstances; what is necessary to determine suitability; the timeline to accomplish the background checks and the potential ramifications of not adhering to the requirements.
Power Point

Connection and Commitment: An Introduction to Civic Reflection
Adam Davis
This session will provide an introduction to and an experience of civic reflection--an interactive and highly participatory discussion method that explores fundamental questions of service, community, and leadership in order to help build and sustain commitment among members and staff. Participants will engage in a discussion and then learn about where the practice is used and the resources that support it.
Handout 1: A Quick Look at the Project on Civic Reflection
Handout 2: Project on Civic Reflection Client and Partner List 
Handout 3: Civic Reflection and National Service: Handout: The Project on Civic Reflection
Handout 4: Civic Reflection 101
Handout 5: Project on Civic Reflection Overview

Disability Inclusion in National Service
Salena Acox and Dana Carpenter
This session will provide participants with resources and guidance on recruiting and managing People with Disabilities in National Service. Participants will learn effective practices for interacting with People with Disabilities using People First Language and other helpful strategies.  Participants will engage in scenarios to determine the best support plan for their members/future members. Session will be geared towards those with little to no experience recruiting/supporting people with disabilities.
Power Point
Handout 1: Helpful Suggestions from the ASSET*AmeriCorps Program

The 101 of Web 2.0
Jeff Coburn and Jason Wheeler
How can service and volunteer organizations use social media programs most efficiently? This session will address what social media is and how to use it to build an online community of individuals committed to your organizations mission and goals.  Come explore how to effectively use social media to inclusively recruit members and volunteers as well as broadcast exciting opportunities that appeal to your constituents. Together, we will examine the basics of Web 2.0 and learn through demonstration how to quickly and easily get your Web 2.0 services running and working together.
Power Point
Handout 1: Virtual Volunteering
Handout 2: Web 2.0 – Social Media
Handout 3: Social Networking
Handout 4: Blog
Handout 5: Podcast

The Basics of Federal Financial and Grants Management
Doug Godesky and Kelly Mitchell Baynes
This session will assist program and fiscal staff in understanding the basic concepts and responsibilities of managing their federal grants, including basic understanding of how the Federal Cost Principles and Uniform Administrative Requirements apply and how to establish effective internal controls.  Review and discussions will cover several key grant requirements, required accounting procedures, program changes, budgets, needed approvals, reporting, allowable costs, and the interdependence of program and financial issues and decisions.
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Hungry for Experiential Learning?
Jess Powers and Elisabeth Steward
Experiential learning, a teaching model that engages the learner at a more personal level and appeals to different learning styles within the context of service learning, is an interactive method that can be adapted by any organization and used to facilitate active group reflection.  Attendees will experience an example of this model through a hands-on group exercise focused on hunger along with discussion of other experiential learning examples that generate discussion and allow members/volunteers to deepen understanding of social issues.  Activities will include the service learning model used by AmeriCorps NCCC and transferability to other programs will be addressed.
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All Systems Go: Practical Management Tools from the Field
Jennifer Jefts and Mary Ellen Isaacs
Whether you are an experienced program staff member or this is your first day on the job, this session will provide participants with a wide variety of field-tested practical, take-it-home and use it materials and program management systems.  Presenters will share their top four lessons learned from a combined twenty years of AmeriCorps experience.
Power Point
Handout 1: Electronic Timekeeping and Electronic Storage
Handout 2: Getting Your Act Together

Building and Sustaining Commitment through Civic Reflection
Adam Davis
This session will provide an introduction to and an experience of civic reflection--an interactive and highly participatory discussion method that explores fundamental questions of service, community, and leadership in order to help build and sustain commitment among members and staff. Participants will engage in a discussion and then consider when, how, and why to implement this practice. They will also learn about various resources that support civic reflection and various programs and organizations across the country that use it.
Handout 1: A Quick Look at the Project on Civic Reflection
Handout 2: Project on Civic Reflection Client and Partner List
Handout 3: Civic Reflection and National Service: Handout: The Project on Civic Reflection
Handout 4: Civic Reflection 101
Handout 5: Project on Civic Reflection Overview

Cultivating Inclusive Service Programs
Jason Wheeler
The Serve America Act affirms the inclusion of people with disabilities in all Corporation for National and Community Service programs and the volunteer sector. This session is designed to further build the capacity of the field to meaningfully engage people with disabilities in significant and often demanding service positions. Interactively, this session will highlight matters related to disclosure or non-disclosure of a disability, reasonable accommodations, and performance issues.
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Partnering Strategically to Impact Change
Paula Sotnik and Bob Shogren
Did you know that the Serve America Act calls for “collaboration with organizations with a demonstrated expertise in supporting and accommodating individuals with disabilities…”? This session will underscore the importance of knowing your resources and sending the right message to effectively partner with disability organizations to achieve transformative outcomes and at the same time, meeting your performance measurement outcomes.
Power Point 

Documenting Cash and In-Kind Match
Kelly Mitchell-Baynes
Meeting and documenting required match is essential. This session will discuss how to properly track and record cash match and in-kind donations, how to calculate the value of in-kind donations, how to document match expenses in the accounting system, and other match-related matters.
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Facilitation Strategies
Chris Riley and Elisa Gleeson
This session will provide participants with the necessary tools and techniques to effectively facilitate group discussions and meetings.
Power Point
Handout 1: Facilitation 101

Conducting a Statewide Community Needs Assessment Process
Toya Nelson
This session will describe the “Colorado experience” in conducting a year-long statewide community service needs assessment process, and the use of the needs assessment report as the foundation for the Colorado Three Year State Service Plan.  Participants will explore the Colorado example, learning tools and techniques for primary and secondary research, community outreach, developing stakeholder interest, and conducting community meetings, small group discussion, and forums.  Participants will engage in discussions concerning their experiences in similar “community and human services needs assessments” and will learn “best practice” tools and methodology to help guide their own state or local needs assessment and long range planning processes.  Participants also will learn the benefits of community needs assessment as an outreach and marketing strategy.  In an interactive discussion participants will be asked to identify key stakeholders, interest groups, individuals and organizations in their own states who would be key to a successful community needs assessment and long range planning process.
Power Point

Insight and Investment into Member Management
Kathryn Gray
This session will cover several tips, tricks, and best practices that program managers can utilize to simultaneously host effective trainings, create leadership opportunities, and foster engagement of the members in their own service term. This workshop is most appropriate for managers who hold regular, in-person meetings with their teams, but everyone is welcome to attend! Participants will leave with several templates and activity ideas to take home and modify to their own program’s needs.
Handout 1: Insight & Investment into Member Management – Sample Documents

Creating a Culture of Inclusion
Paula Sotnik
How do we ensure that the inclusion of people with disabilities becomes part of the fabric of our organizations? Join an advanced dialogue on strategies and organizational practices that lead to sustained inclusion efforts within the national service and nonprofit sectors. Promising practices designed to create long-lasting inclusion efforts from across the national network and within the cluster will be shared.
Power Point
Handout 1: Inclusion Wheel
Handout 2: Building the Model: Inclusive Programs and Organizations

Hot Interviewing to Avoid Warm Bodies and Cold Fish
Erica Severson
"This interactive session will provide an opportunity for program staff who recruit and interview Members to develop more nuanced and effective interview skills. Using the principles of behavioral interviewing, program staff will work in small groups to develop targeted questions and techniques they can take home and utilize in the next recruitment cycle to find Members who are a best fit for their program."
Handout 1: Individual and Partner Activity
Handout 2: Behavioral Interviewing

Designing and Implementing an Effective Evaluation System
Keven Vicknair
This session is intended for experienced program staff who have previously measured their program outcomes and wish to strengthen their evaluation systems. It will cover the entire process from the types of evaluations to types of instruments used and types of reports generated. There will be time devoted to analyzing existing written performance measures looking at their strengths and weaknesses including detailed discussion on how they can be made stronger.
Power Point

The Value of Incorporating Environmental Service into Any Program – Ideas from a Conservation Corps
David Critton
This session will address the values and benefits of environmental service activities for AmeriCorps programs. Participants will develop ideas for how to incorporate or add environmental and outdoor service outcomes to their programs, as well as identify pathways to make that happen.
Handout 1: The Value of Incorporating Environmental Service into any Program – Ideas from a Conservation Corps
Handout 2: Kids in the Outdoors – Levels of Engagement Framework

Facebook, Twitter, Text Messaging and More: Using Social Media for Client and Community Impact
Emily Steinberg
During the last five years, innovative technologies such as social networking websites, online chat forums, and text messaging have redefined the ways in which we communicate. This session will use the 2007 EduGuide report “Digital Disclosures” as a framework to describe lessons learned by one AmeriCorps program along the way, as well as specific strategies to generate more meaningful dialogue between programs and their clients and community supporters.  Located in Austin, TX, College Forward has significantly increased both programmatic and marketing outcomes targeting college students and millennials through pioneering efforts using on MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, e-news, text messaging, and more.
Handout 1: Facebook, Twitter, Text Messaging and More: Using Social Media for Client and Community Impact

Leveraging Volunteers and Creating a Culture of Appreciation
Eric Lindh
This session will offer participants ideas on engaging volunteers to support your program and creating a culture of thanking them for their service. Learn how one nonprofit involves over 1,200 volunteers, mostly from the faith-based community, in support of a summer literacy program for children. Participants will brainstorm new ways of recruiting, training, and thanking volunteers as well as evaluating the volunteer experience.
Power Point

The Civilian Corps: A Legacy of Volunteer Veterans
Jess Powers and Elisabeth Steward
Do you want your members to know about the history of one of the oldest National Service groups in our country?  This session will go into depth about The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) a work relief program for unemployed men developed by President Roosevelt in the 1930s that supplied conservation jobs as part of the New Deal legislation.   The CCC boys that were part of this program became some of the first “veteran volunteers” of our nation and paved the way for many National, Youth, and Conservation Corps that would follow.  This session will provide a history of the CCC and an open forum for discussion about ways to honor the CCC heritage and legacy, including ways AmeriCorps NCCC has begun reaching out to these veterans.
Power Point

Do Your Member Files Tell a Consistent Story?
Anna Thiele and Amy Park
Participants will be engaged in an interactive activity to explore, discuss, and diagnose programmatic member file requirements through a hands-on member file/documentation review activity. 
Handout 1: OneStar Member File Monitoring Tool

Don’t Recreate the Wheel: Cultivating Partnerships in Your Community
Jennifer Africawala
This session will focus on cultivating relationships with agencies and businesses in your community.  Community partners are great resources for training, service projects and other organization events throughout the AmeriCorps service year.  Participants will work together to determine their need for partnerships and potential agencies in their community.
Handout 1: AmeriCorps Partnerships: Brainstorming Scenarios
Handout 2: AmeriCorps Partnerships: Building Your Partnerships

Ensuring Allowable Costs: OMB Circular Criteria for Cost Allowability
Jerry Bertrand
It is important for recipients of federal grant funds to know how to prevent disallowed costs.  The federal Cost Principles include 10 criteria for allowable costs.  If you know these criteria, it will help you to build appropriate policies and procedures to ensure your costs are allowable and to see related warning signs.  We will discuss the criteria and how you can implement them in your organization.
Handout 1: OMB Circulars-Ten Criteria for Allowable Costs

Federal Financial Reports and Program Income
Kelly Mitchell-Baynes
This session will help grantees and subgrantees understand the new Federal Financial Report (FFR), the changes from the previous Financial Status Report (FSR) and the consolidation into the FFR of previous cash reporting information submitted to HHS in the previous SF272 report.  The session will also address obtaining necessary, timely financial information from subgrantees in order to complete grantee FFR reports what to do about late reporting or incomplete data at time of reporting.  Discussions will also include the new Program Income reporting requirements in the FFR, the definition of income, and how to report unexpended program income.
Power Point

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